Holding mechanism for holding a ski boot

ABSTRACT

A holding mechanism for holding a ski boot via its tread or supporting surface on a ski comprising two pivotably mounted brackets which, from the point of anchoring to the ski or a release plate of a releasable ski binding, extend forwardly and rearwardly respectively in order to engage over the sole tip and heel of the ski boot, and wherein one of the brackets is equipped with a clamping mechanism.

Umted States Patent 11 1 1111 3,

Gertsch et al. Nov. 4, 1975 HOLDING MECHANISM FOR HOLDING A 2,614,858 10/1952 Pierce, Jr. 280/1135 SK] BOOT 3,489,424 1/1970 Gertsch et a] 280/1135 K 3,838,866 /1974 DAlessio et al 280/1135 K [75] Inventors: Ulrich Gertsch, Matten; Ernst Gertsch, Wengen, both of FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Swltzerland 1,110,856 2/1956 France 280/1135 N [73] Assigneez Gertsch AG, Interlaken, Switzerland 521,132 3/1955 Italy 280/1135 R [22] Filed: 1973 Primary ExaminerLeo Friaglia [21] Appl. No: 353,003 Assistant ExaminerMi1ton L. Smith Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Werner W. Kleeman Foreign Application Priority Data May 8, 1972 Switzerland 6836/72 ABSTRACT A holding mechanism for holding a ski boot via its [22] ..280/11.35 K tread or Supporting f e on a ski comprising two 8 8 iniilllllloi 8 "5 e 1 8?? D 1 anchoring to the ski or a release plate of a releasable 1135 ski binding, extend forwardly and rearwardly respec- 1135 N tively in order to engage over the sole tip and heel of 56 R f the ski boot, and wherein one of the brackets is 1 e erences C'ted equipped with a clamping mechanism.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,573,955 11/1951 Cubberley 280/1135 T 12 Clams 2 US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 BOOT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved holding mechanism for holding or retaining a ski boot via its support or tread surface on a ski.

With prior art holding mechanisms of this general type the quality of the coaction between the holding mechanism and the ski boot is dependent to a certain extent upon coincidence, since the holding mechanisms and particularly the boot sole holding device cannot be or only can be incompletely accommodated to the many different shapes and dimensions of ski boots encountered in practice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Hence, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved construction of holding mechanism for a ski boot which permits faultless accommodation to the ski boot, and furthermore, renders possible taking into account the individual skiing skill of the skier.

Another significant object of the present invention relates to an improved holding mechanism for retaining a ski boot on a ski which allows accommodation of the holding mechanism to the configuration and dimensions of the ski boot and permits the ski boot to be retained on the ski in consideration of various factors, such as the skill of the skier, the desired point of attachment of the boot to the ski, and other variables Now in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the holding mechanism of this development is manifested by the features that there are provided two pivotably anchored brackets which serve the purpose of extending forwardly and rearwardly from the location of anchoring of the brackets to the ski or to the release plate of a safety ski binding and which respectively engage over the sole tip and heel, and further wherein one of the brackets is provided with a clamping mechanism. Since the invention contemplates possibly anchoring or mounting the brackets either directly to the ski or indirectly to the ski through the agency of the release plate the terminology hereinafter employed with respect to the features that the brackets are anchored or mounted to the ski is to be understood in its broader sense as encompassing both such possibilities.

The length of the brackets, measured between their anchoring locations, is preferably adjustable. To that end, there could be provided at least for one of the brackets anchoring means which are shiftable or shifted in the lengthwise direction of the ski. This enables not only accommodating the holding mechanism to the length of the ski boot, but additionally shifting the ski boot in the lengthwise direction of the ski. In this way the skier has the possibility of determining the most suitable location of the center of gravity with respect to his skiing style. Furthermore, it is advantageous to provide measures to permit adjustment of the width of the brackets, and to which end the anchoring means can be adjustable towards the side or laterally and, for instance, can comprise threaded bores or holes directed transversely with regard to the lengthwise axis of the ski and threaded bolts which can engage into such threaded bores. In this way there is not only possible an accommodation of the holding mechanism to the HOLDING MECHANISM FOR HOLDING A SKI l width of the sole of the boot but also the possibility of laterally shifting the boot relative to the ski.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates in side view the holding mechanism of the invention combined with a release plate of a safety ski binding together with the ski boot; and

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of individual components of a bracket of the holding mechanism of this development and anchoring components therefor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Considering now the drawing with the exemplary embodiment of holding mechanism as contemplated by this invention and as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, there will be recognized that there is provided a release plate 1 of a safety ski binding which is retained at its front end and rear end through the agency of spring-loaded locking elements 2. These locking elements 2 are pivotably mounted in a respective housing 3 opposite an associated non-visible spring member which acts upon the corresponding locking element 3 in a manner well known in this particular art. Each locking element housing 3 serving to anchor the front and rear ends of the release plate 1, is secured in any convenient manner to the top surface of the ski 4. This ski 4 also possesses, for the embodiment of safety ski binding given by way of example, a centrally positioned pivot disk or bearing pin 5 capable of engaging with a correspondingly configured recess of the release plate 1, again as is well known for such type ski binding. The arrangement is undertaken in a known manner in such a way that in the presence of excessive loads, in particular those loads which are dangerous to the skier, the release plate 1 can be released to all sides from the locking elements 3.

As explained heretofore the invention is directed to holding mechanism for securing the tread or support surface of the ski boot 2 0 to the ski and in this case in contact with the release plate 1 which is retained on the ski by the locking elements 2. The holding mechanism comprises as the heeland sole holding device a respective bracket 6 and 7 which basically are of identical construction, with the difference, however, that the rear bracket, in this case the bracket 6 at the region of the heel of the ski boot is equipped with a clamping lever 8 and engages via this clamping lever with the heel of the ski boot. On the other hand, the front bracket 7 directly engages with the tip of the sole of the boot. Each of these brackets 6 and 7 advantageously consists of a flexible material, for instance a cable 6a and 7a, respectively, so that it can snugly bear against the boot heel and sole tip, as the case may be.

Continuing, and considering FIG. 2 where there has been illustrated the construction of each of the brackets which are identical with one another, with the exception heretofore noted concerning the provision of the clamping lever 8, and considering the construction of such otherwise identical brackets on the basis of the bracket 7 for instance, it will be recognized that both brackets are equipped at their ends with inwardly directed threaded anchoring bolts 9 which engage in threaded anchoring holes or bores and 11 which, in

this instance, are provided at the release plate 1, and these threaded holes or bores are directed transversely with respect to the lengthwise direction of the ski 4. Owing to this construction there are formed closed loop-like brackets and the width of each such bracket 6 and 7 basically can be accommodated to the width of the heel and the sole tip of the boot respectively. Furthermore, it is equally possible to laterally shift or displace the brackets 6 and 7 with respect to the release plate 1, and in this way it is possible to randomly adjust the position of the boot with regard to the ski, and specifically also to randomly position the same at a desired inclination.

Flexed portions 9' of the threaded anchoring bolts 9 in each case engage with a threaded sleeve or nut 12 carried at the ends of the substantially U-shaped component of the corresponding bracket, in order to be able to vary the length of the brackets 6 and 7 measured between the points where they are anchored. in this way it is possible for the holding mechanism to be basically accommodated to the length of the ski boot. By simultaneously oppositely adjusting the length of the brackets 6 and 7 respectively, it is possible to shift the boot relative to the ski in the lengthwise direction. Apart from this fine adjustment the same effect can be realized in steps or increments owing to the fact that with the embodiment under discussion there are provided for the brackets 6 and 7 a series of threaded holes or bores 10 and 11, and in this case the threaded bores or holes 10 and 11 are spaced lengthwise along the release plate 1.

ln view of the above-explanation of the holding mechanism of this invention it should be readily apparent that the construction thereof allows the boot to be randomly adjusted at the release plate in the lengthwise direction and/or the transverse direction, and furthermore any such adjustment also can be easily reset or readjusted. In this way the skier has the possibility of readily determining those adjustments for the binding which are most suitable for his particular skills and needs. Hence, the described holding mechanism allows for a so-to-speak individual accommodation of the relationship between the skier and his skis, this being so because of the manifold adjustment possibilities which can be realized with the holding mechanism as aboveexplained. Additionally, the connection of the ski boot with-the ski is of course faultlessly established for any adjustment undertaken, and hence, the individualized relationship of the skier to his skis is not left to chance.

Heel holding mechanisms in the form of a bracket 6 equipped with a clamping lever 8 are indeed already known to the art for quite sometime. Nonetheless it was never heretofore proposed to similarly construct the sole holding mechanism, that is to say, to establish retention of the boot on the ski through the use of two brackets. Accordingly, it was apparently necessary to recognize that in this way there not only could be realized a better connection between the ski boot and the ski, but furthermore, also that it would be accordingly possible to individually accommodate the relationship of the skier to his skis.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

- Accordingly, what is claimed is:

l. A holding mechanism for retaining a ski boot and its tread surface on a ski, comprising two bracket members intended to extend forwardly and rearwardly with respect to the ski to engage over the tip of the sole and heel of the boot respectively, one of the said bracket members being provided with a clamping mechanism, said two bracket members each including means for changing the size of the bracket members lengthwise of the ski, means for pivotable mounting said bracket members on the ski, said mounting means and each of i said bracket members having cooperating means for selectively positioning said bracket members at desired anchoring locations on the ski to adjustably locate the position of the ski boot lengthwise of the ski and to accommodate a range of ski boot sizes.

2. The holding mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes a release plate, and said mounting means including means for connecting the bracket members with the release plate.

3. The holding mechanism as defined in claim2, wherein said changing means are provided for said bracket members to adjust the length of the bracket members measured between the anchoring locations thereof.

4. The holding mechanism as defined in claim 2, wherein said changing means include means for adjusting the width of each bracket member.

5. The holding mechanism as defined in claim 4, wherein said adjusting means include means for adjustment of said cooperating means towards the sides.

6. The holding mechanism as defined in claim 5, wherein said cooperating means incorporate threaded bores extending substantially transversely with respect to the lengthwise direction of the ski and threaded bolts engaging with said threaded bores.

7. The holding mechanism as defined in claim 2, wherein said mounting means and both of said bracket members are provided with said cooperating means for selectively positioning both of said bracket members at desired anchoring locations at the ski.

8. A holding mechanism for retaining a ski boot and its tread surface on a ski, comprising a release plate having a front end portion and a rear end portion, a pair of bracket members intended to extend forwardly and rearwardly with respect to the ski to engage over the tip of the sole and the heel of the boot respectively, means for pivotably mounting the bracket member extending forwardly and engaging over the tip of the sole to the front end portion of the release plate, said bracket member at the front end portion of the release plate including means for adjusting said forwardly extending bracket member so as to regulate the size of. such bracket member lengthwise of the ski, means for pivotably mounting the bracket member extending rearwardly with respect to the ski and engaging with the heel of the boot to the rear end portion of the release plate, each of said mounting means for the bracket members and said release plate having cooperating means for selectively positioning the bracket members at desired anchoring locations on the release plate to adjustably locate the position of the ski boot lengthwise of the ski and to accommodate a range of ski boot sizes.

9. The holding mechanism as defined in claim 8, wherein the cooperating means for said forwardly extending bracket member comprise a plurality of threaded bores arranged in spaced relationship from tending bracket member comprise a plurality of threaded bores arranged in spaced relationship from one another at the rear end portion of the release plate and threaded bolts selectively engageable with said threaded bores.

12. The holding mechanism as defined in claim 11, wherein each of said bracket members define a closed loop element. 

1. A holding mechanism for retaining a ski boot and its tread surface on a ski, comprising two bracket members intended to extend forwardly and rearwardly with respect to the ski to engage over the tip of the sole and heel of the boot respectively, one of the said bracket members being provided with a clamping mechanism, said two bracket members each including means for changing the size of the bracket members lengthwise of the ski, means for pivotable mounting said bracket members on the ski, said mounting means and each of said bracket members having cooperating means for selectively posItioning said bracket members at desired anchoring locations on the ski to adjustably locate the position of the ski boot lengthwise of the ski and to accommodate a range of ski boot sizes.
 2. The holding mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes a release plate, and said mounting means including means for connecting the bracket members with the release plate.
 3. The holding mechanism as defined in claim 2, wherein said changing means are provided for said bracket members to adjust the length of the bracket members measured between the anchoring locations thereof.
 4. The holding mechanism as defined in claim 2, wherein said changing means include means for adjusting the width of each bracket member.
 5. The holding mechanism as defined in claim 4, wherein said adjusting means include means for adjustment of said cooperating means towards the sides.
 6. The holding mechanism as defined in claim 5, wherein said cooperating means incorporate threaded bores extending substantially transversely with respect to the lengthwise direction of the ski and threaded bolts engaging with said threaded bores.
 7. The holding mechanism as defined in claim 2, wherein said mounting means and both of said bracket members are provided with said cooperating means for selectively positioning both of said bracket members at desired anchoring locations at the ski.
 8. A holding mechanism for retaining a ski boot and its tread surface on a ski, comprising a release plate having a front end portion and a rear end portion, a pair of bracket members intended to extend forwardly and rearwardly with respect to the ski to engage over the tip of the sole and the heel of the boot respectively, means for pivotably mounting the bracket member extending forwardly and engaging over the tip of the sole to the front end portion of the release plate, said bracket member at the front end portion of the release plate including means for adjusting said forwardly extending bracket member so as to regulate the size of such bracket member lengthwise of the ski, means for pivotably mounting the bracket member extending rearwardly with respect to the ski and engaging with the heel of the boot to the rear end portion of the release plate, each of said mounting means for the bracket members and said release plate having cooperating means for selectively positioning the bracket members at desired anchoring locations on the release plate to adjustably locate the position of the ski boot lengthwise of the ski and to accommodate a range of ski boot sizes.
 9. The holding mechanism as defined in claim 8, wherein the cooperating means for said forwardly extending bracket member comprise a plurality of threaded bores arranged in spaced relationship from one another at the front end portion of the release plate and threaded bolts selectively engageable with said threaded bores.
 10. The holding mechanism as defined in claim 8, wherein said bracket member at the rear end portion of the release plate includes means for adjusting said rearwardly extending bracket member so as to regulate the size of such bracket member lengthwise of the ski.
 11. The holding mechanism as defined in claim 10, wherein the cooperating means for said rearwardly extending bracket member comprise a plurality of threaded bores arranged in spaced relationship from one another at the rear end portion of the release plate and threaded bolts selectively engageable with said threaded bores.
 12. The holding mechanism as defined in claim 11, wherein each of said bracket members define a closed loop element. 